as in to complain
to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant
you know it drives me crazy when you niggle like that
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in quibble
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in qualm
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of niggle
George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Later though, the conversation niggled at me.
—Rachel Linden, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
For example, experiencing a consistent niggle in your hip while running may actually be due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
—Jordan Smith, Outside, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Verb
There are niggling, nagging, familiar concerns, like not taking chances, like being hit on the counter, but our section erupts when Willock scores and then erupts again when his goal is ruled out.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Later though, the conversation niggled at me.
—Rachel Linden, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
The last thing new parents need is an injury or niggle, but for those who are keen to start clocking up the miles, a new study offers some surprising reassurance: running with a stroller may actually lower the risk of injury.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
For example, experiencing a consistent niggle in your hip while running may actually be due to pelvic floor dysfunction.
—Jordan Smith, Outside, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for niggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for niggle
Verb
-
Afterward, a student in the audience complained to his parents that, at the event, the deaths of Palestinian civilians had been characterized as collateral damage—a regrettable but unavoidable consequence of the battle against Hamas.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The driver and passenger in the BMW complained of pain.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite my quibbles with how her character reacts when things really go awry, Kiri’s Evy has a clarity of purpose that holds our attention despite not having that much to do.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Perhaps, as Hoffman suggests, my quibbles with the show are far beyond anything the producers could address.—
Manisha Krishnan,
Wired News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At lunchtime, hunger overrides my qualms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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By no means a modest person, Frenza has no qualms about giving herself a generous bonus.—
Agnieszka Szpila,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ever the dedicated mother, Stacy runs to her adult daughter’s aid, fussing at her for not using a driver for her errands.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The crime went unsolved for many years, prompting Mason to start making this movie in the early 2000s, and the immediate conclusion to jump to is that the LAPD maybe wasn’t too fussed about it.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Thanks to its modular and distinctly unmilitary design, the U-2 fit the bill and sidestepped the Air Force's objections when the command of the operation went to the CIA.—
David Szondy
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
-
As long as dogs are well cared for, there shouldn’t be any objection.—
Ed Sayres,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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By the time symptoms first appear, the majority of these cells are lost forever, meaning the disease can progress for years before any of the telltale physical symptoms emerge—tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement, among others.—
Todd Weissman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Until recently, scientists could only manually read through graphs of seismic recordings to pick out tremors, then use the data to trace the movements of magma that caused them.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But when analysts compare him to Peterson and Dybantsa — and are forced to nitpick — there are questions about Boozer’s ceiling as a pro player.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
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As a dominant team, the Bruins have to nitpick at times to find areas of to improve.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Having legal documents on hand, at a lawyer’s office or in a file cabinet not only provides peace of mind, but can prevent conflict and legal fees when tragedy or challenges arise.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Making education accessible for teenage mothers is a challenge in Kenya and a mounting task for a country with a fast-growing young population.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Niggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/niggle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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